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The global environmental conferences convened by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during the last fifty years have contributed to the development of international environmental law and institution-building. Yet, given the deteriorating state of the global environment they are but one element of international environmental governance. While they were important to bring environmental issues to the attention of states, the time for agenda-setting seems over. Rather the international community must move on to the implementation of existing binding and non-binding rules and principles. While the UNGA continues to play an important role in the context of sustainable development and the Agenda 2030 process and is, indeed a stable platform for international cooperation on environmental issues, it seems that the time for comprehensive global environmental conferences may have come to an end, unless more innovative mechanisms for the implementation of international environmental law and policy are brought forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since proclaiming its independence, the Republic of Indonesia has a large gold-mining industry (PT Indonesia has always been a country of great agrarian The people of Indonesia to the gate of independence. [Extracted from the article]

A paper which examines the complementarity of international economic and environmental laws, and their implementation in achieving sustainable development, is presented. Topics covered include need for cooperation between economic and environmental law among states, challenges posed by the sustainable development principle to the implementation of environmental law, and factors compromising implementation of environmental treaties.

The article discusses a study on the progress and transition towards a green economy in Morocco. Topics covered include the environmental communication practices of Moroccan companies, challenges that have hampered the country's efforts to anchor the principles of sustainable development, such as the adverse effects of climate change and the loss of biodiversity, and environmental report or a sustainable development report that Moroccan companies are obliged to publish.

The article discusses the waste treatment laws in Ukraine, and its harmonization with the European Union's (EU) environmental policy. Topics discussed include Ukraine's desire to harmonise its environmental legislation with the norms of the EU; the expected positive effects of aligning the two legal systems, such as a postive environment and sustainable development; and the need to implement a new economic policy in Ukraine.

The article discusses the role environmental courts on the protection and preservation of the environment, and sustainable development. Topics discussed include types of evidence in environmental litigation such as testimonial evidence, guiding principles in the Nigeria's National Policy on Environment, and guidelines for environmental sentencing.

Information about the meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR) to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that was held in Nairobi, Kenya from February 15-19, 2016, is presented. Topics include environmental policy issues, sustainable development and the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change. It cites the internal and external developments of the UNEP.

Information about the 11th United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF-11) held at United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York from May 4â€15, 2015 on international arrangement on forests (IAF) is presented. Topics discussed include promotion of management, conservation and sustainable development of forests as the aim of UNFF; environmental policy and law which are required to be executed by the UNFF; and steps taken to improve countries' access to forest-related funds.

SPREP / AGM-23 - Pacific Environment Moving Forward (David Sheppard) 351 Pacific Islands Forum - Taking an Oceanscape Approach 353 Pacific Islands Forum - Leaders Collaborate to Address Key Concerns 355 Earth Observation from Satellites: Supporting the Outcomes of UNCSD (Rio+20) - (Stephen A. Briggs and Stephen Ward) 357 EU - Developments in Environmental Law (Annalisa Savaresi) 365 EU - Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe - The Process 370 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UNCSD (Rio+20) - The Future We Wanted (The Future We Will Get) "Palitha Kohona" 137One Participant's Diary - (Ann Powers) 140IPBES / SOP.2 - Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Platform (Formal Establishment) "Sarah Lucas" 143UNICPOLOS - Marine Renewable Energy 144UNPFII-11 - Focus on the Doctrine of Discovery (Elsa Tsioumani) 145CITES - Animals and Plants Committees (Promoting Species Trade Controls) 146UNFCCC - Bonn Climate Conference (Heavy Traffic on the Road to Qatar) "Soledad Aguilar and Eugenia Recio" 149The Clean Development Mechanism - The Past and Future (Chris Juhnke) 151 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UN / GA 66th Session - Agenda Commences 174 Basel Convention - Turning Wastes into Valuable Resources "Promoting Compliance with Obligations?" (Katharina Kummer Peiry) 177 UN / GA / Marine WG-4 - Toward Coordination at Global Level (Ann Powers) 180 UNEP / Rio+20 Consultation - Major Group Input Takes Shape 182 UNFCCC - Climate Change Roadshow Moves to Bonn (Ian Fry) 185 CBD / ICNP-1 - All about Compliance (Elisa Morgera) 189 CITES / AC-25 - Animals Committee: Increasing Cooperation (Elisa Morgera) 191 Aarhus Convention / MOP-4 - Ensuring Global Relevance? (Elisa Morgera) 194 The Compliance Mechanism - Outcomes and Stocktaking - Veit Koester 196 UNECE / Water Convention - Progress on Aspects of Implementation (Laura Covino-Kerpelman) 205 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UN / GA 65th Session - Environmental Policy and Legal Resolutions (Elisa Morgera) 2 UNCSD-Rio+20 / ISM-1 - Finding Common Ground (Elsa Tsioumani) 9 UNFCCC / Kyoto Protocol - Outcomes of the Cancún Conferenc (Soledad Aguilar) 10 Clean Development Mechanism - Proposal for an Appeals Process (Michael Bothe, Thilo Marauhn, Eckard Rehbinder, Ayse Martina Böhringer, Johan Horst) 14 CMS / ACCOBAMS / MOP-4 - Geographical Area Overlapping with ASCOBANS "Legal or Other Implications" (Elizabeth Maruma Mrema and Heidrun Frisch) 18 CMS - International Tiger Forum "Reflections" (Aline Kühl) 22 Montreal Protocol / MOP-22 - "Universal" Agreement Makes Limited Progress 24 INC Mercury-1 & 2 - Negotiations Commence 26 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UN / GA 64th Session - Environmental Policy and Legal Developments (Elisa Morgera) 2 UNFCCC / CP.15 - The Outcome from Copenhagen: 1. A Building Block or a Faltering Step? (George de Berdt Romilly and Lorne S. Clark) 11 UNFCCC / CP.15 - The Outcome from Copenhagen: 2. At the Limits of Global Diplomacy? (Joanna Depledge) 17 UNFCCC / CP.15 - The Outcome from Copenhagen: 3. Success or Failure? (Richard L. Ottinger) 22 UNFCCC / CP.15 - The Outcome from Copenhagen: 4. The Birth of a New Era? (Jim MacNeill) 24 CBD / ABS-8 - Moving Towards a Protocol? (Elsa Tsioumani) 26 FAO / 36th Conference - Illegal Unreported and Unregulated Fishing -- A New Treaty 30 UNEP - First Work on Mercury Instrument 31 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents several papers regarding the United Nations' efforts to environmental policy and its developments. It includes the universal realization of the human rights to food and to water and the need to have equitable access to the natural resources of land, water and seeds as well as to credit. Another is an overview and summaries of resolution adopted during the 63rd session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, particularly those of environment or legal import. Also, is the examination of the report of the UN Secretary-General on the development of the implementation of Agenda 21.

The article presents developments of the environmental policy in Tehran and in European. It includes the Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea which tackles several issues including the adoption of the Strategic Convention Action Programme and the development of priority Protocols to the Tehran Convention which includes the area of conservation and rational use of the aquatic resources. Another is the agreed climate package by the European Union (EU) which aims to lower carbon emission that contributes to climate change. Also, is the developments of environmental protection in the EU.

The article discusses several international developments regarding environmental policy and law. It discusses how human rights developments relate to the development policy in Germany. It also presents the proposal for Global Environmental Goals, along with a description of the challenges of the international environmental regime and the efforts to improve environmental governance. The article also focuses on the International Tropical Timber Organization, an intergovernmental organization focused on the sustainable management, use and trade of tropical forest resources. Also, it offers a review of the book "Weaving a Web of Environmental Law," by Barbara J. Lausche.

The article focuses on the issues surrounding the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians, or Carpathian Convention. The Carpathian Convention is said to be aimed at safeguarding the values of the outstanding natural and cultural heritage of Carpathian Mountains. It is said that while the signing of the Biodiversity Protocol by five out of seven Carpathian Countries was the main achievement of the Convention, it is still observed to have some setbacks. One setback is the confusion regarding the scope of the Convention's application. Another is the unresolved issue of which city will claim the seat of the secretariat. Lastly, there is also an issue regarding the role of the European Union in the Carpathian Convention.

The article discusses United Nations programs for sustainable development. The author traces the origins from the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment in 1972 and the establishment of the U.N. Environmental Program (UNEP). He reviews various Multilateral Agreements on the Environment including the Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Montreal Protocol. He discusses financing mechanisms such as the Environment Fund and the Global Environment Facility. He concludes that the French proposal to transform UNEP into a World Environmental Organization would be modeled on the World Health Organization.

The article discusses the factors involved in establishing a legal framework for regulating sustainable development in Central Asia. As most environmental problems are not limited by national boundaries, international cooperation is required. Widespread political support for such cooperation has been expressed at the highest levels of government. Certain areas of Central Asia which face environmental difficulties are specified, including the Aral Sea Basin, Amu Darya rivers and the many regions threatened by desertification.

The article discusses various issues related to environmental law and policy. According to the author, one major issue is the lack of interest in environmental justice as a social issue in Germany. German planning and environmental law in many areas tolerates a certain degree of spatial differentiation of environmental quality. Another significant issue is the role of the judiciary and judicial commissions on sustainable development issues in South Asia. There is a weakness of the executive in environmental management that has been matched with a strong intervention by the judiciary in giving primacy to environmental rights. Moreover, there has been progressive development of environmental law in relation to environmental information in Japan.

This article discusses the legal regime present in the Arctic regions to address socio-economic and environmental concerns. According to the author, The Arctic Council which includes representatives of indigenous organization developed from the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy as a regional forum to address sustainable development issues. It is a voluntary body consisting of the eight Arctic States with limited power to make non-binding decisions. The author reviews the threats and challenges facing the Arctic and discusses the consequences of stakeholder positions. He suggests options for possible improvements in the legal regime.

The author reflects on the achievement of global agreements for change in the agenda of environmental law. He points out that it is significant to enforce environmental law which is aimed at sustainable development. The three essential aspects significant for change are the key environmental issues that need to be addressed, the strategy to employ in addressing those issues and its presentation to the world community.

This article focuses on a comprehensive review of the Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA) for the Sustainable Development of SIDS or small island developing states, which was called for in the 57th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The BPOA sets forth specific actions and measures at the national, regional, and international levels in support of the sustainable development of SIDS. BPOA is a 14-point program that identifies priority areas and specific actions necessary for addressing the special challenges faced by SIDS. Some of the priority areas are: climate change and sea-level rise, natural and environmental disasters, and management of wastes.

Within the global urban system, the statistical relationship between urban eco-environment (UE) and urban competitiveness (UC) (RUEC) is researched. Data showed that there is a statistically inverted-U relationship between UE and UC. Eco-environmental factor is put into the classification of industries, and gets six industrial types by two indexes viz. industries' eco-environmental demand and pressure. The statistical results showed that there is a strong relationship, for new industrial classification, between the changes of industrial structure and evolvement of UE. The drive mechanism of the evolvement of urban eco-environment, with human demand and global work division was analyzed. The conclusion is that the development stratege, industrial policies of cities, and environmental policies fo cities must be fit with their ranks among the global urban system. At the era of globalization, so far as the environmental policies, their rationality could not be assessed with the level of strictness, but it can enhance cities' competitiveness when they are fit with cities' capabilities to attract and control some sections of the industry's value-chain. None but these kinds of environmental policies can probably enhance the UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on developments relevant to environmental policy and law in Europe as of April 2004. European Landscape Convention entered into force; Right to water as an enforceable right; Polycentric environmental governance towards stability and sustainable development.

Provides references on the topics related to environmental policy. Adoption of an Action Plan on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development by countries; Launch of an initiative on environmental crime by the United Nations (UN) Environmental Programme; Appointment of José Ocampo as Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs of the UN Department for Economic and Social Affairs.

Evaluates the changing concepts of environmental integration and its relationship to sustainable development in European Union (EU). Approaches to the principle of environmental policy making; Status of environmental integration at the EU level; Definitions of environmental integration.

The European Environment Agency (EEA) produces assessments based on (environmental) indicators to support policy. With the publication of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the European Union, and the European Commissions' intention to publish a progress report on sustainable development for the Prime Ministers each year in spring, the EEA becomes involved in regular assessments of progress in the environment within the context of sustainable development. The selection of the indicators for the EU progress report will be done by the policy makers, which is a good starting point to increase the accountability for their actions or lack of action and which eventually may lead to "sustainability convergence criteria". The EEA has developed a number of tools, frameworks and typologies which will be applied to provide an integrated assessment of progress around the limited selection of sustainable development indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italy- Protected Areas and the 'Caracas Action Plan' (Andrca Sillloncini) 95UK- National Sustainable Development Plan 104 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UNEP- Resolutions 168Commission on Sustainable Development- Keynote Address (Al Gore) 183UN/ECE- Lucerne Declaration 185- Lucerne Conference - Conclusions from the Questionnaire regarding seven environmental conventions 187 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ECOSOC- Full Participation by the European Community in the Commission on Sustainable Development 77EU- The Environment Ministers of the EU States and States of Central and Eastern Europe - Conclusions 77WHO- Helsinki Declaration 78Ozone Protocol- Meeting of the Parties - Decisions 81 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers updates on the activities of United Nations Environment Programme-Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (UNEP-GC/GMEF). The UNEP-GC/GMEF decided to start the process to negotiate a global agreement on mercury. It is revealed that the UNEP-GC has adopted a decision in which government are invited to explore mechanisms to improve the science-policy interface for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Arab member states submitted a draft decision on the environmental situation in Gaza Strip. The UNEP-GC/GMEF took place at a time of a global crisis in the world financial sectors as well as at the time of food and water shortages.

This article discusses the historical development of forestry environmental policy and law in relation to sustainable development concepts. The author reviews the origins of the principle of sustained yield and provides profiles and key source references for its original proponents. According to him, early forest conservation policy was dominated by the need to provide sufficient lumber for naval fleets. He traces the development of the legal forestry framework and shows how the legal architects influenced the applications of the precautionary principle.

The article discusses various issues related to environment law and policy. One significant issue is the development of environment law in relation to environmental information. International environmental law has chosen the principle of free access to information and the principle of disclosure. Environmental protection will only be effective when people have the right to information and the right to participation. Another key issue is the growing concern for the conservation of fishes, forests and natural resources that contribute to sustainable development.

This article discusses the relation of clean energy and sustainable development. There has been an international consensus that energy is essential to achieving the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainable development. But experience has shown that the kind of energy and the way it is used are important determinants of the degree of sustainability achieved. And continuing along the current path of energy development is not only incompatible with sustainable development objectives but also means that the world's vulnerability to supply disruptions will increase as international trade and competition expand.

Presents news items related to world environmental policy and law as of September 2002. Launch of the Global Reporting Initiative by the United Nations for sustainable development; Objectives of the Sixth European Union Action Program for the Environment from 2001-2010; Proposed amendments to Canada's Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations; Changes made to European Union environmental laws and regulations.

An editorial is presented in which the editor discusses the challenges faced by the negotiation of a binding instrument on marine biodiversity. Focus is given to the sessions held by a preparatory committee under the adopted resolution of the UN General Assembly which seeks to develop elements of a draft binding instrument on sustainable use of the marine biological diversity. The issue of pathway selection related to marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction is emphasized.

The article focuses on the aspects of the revised African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources also known as the Maputo Convention adopted in 2003. Topics discussed include the various objectives of the convention which aim for the conservation and enhancement of environmental protection, the environmental focus of the convention which include land, water, and vegetation, and the role of the convention in addressing sustainable development issues.

UNCSD (Rio+20) - A View inside RioCentro 201 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers updates related to global environmental policy and law. One update refers to an informal meeting of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Committee on Trade and Environment Special Session for further negotiations on Environmental Goods and Services. Another update mentions the workshop on forest governance for Latin American and Caribbean countries. Moreover, other updates concerning sustainable development are also discussed.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses memorial tributes to environmental policy pioneers and various sustainable development aspects.

The article presents several reports on the implementation of Agenda 21 and the results of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. It identifies some of the resolutions that were reviewed on the implementation of the Agenda 21 and the reaffirmation on the development goals including the Millenium Development Goals. It tackles on the several issues including on agriculture, rural development, land, desertification and Africa and addresses the cross-cutting issues as well as identifying best practices, constraints, and obstacles in the process of implementation.

This article presents the conclusions and recommendations of the Round Table Dialogue on Advancing the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) through the Rule of Law, held at the United Nations Environment Programme Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya on February 16-17, 2005. It is recognized that the implementation of a number of the elements of Montevideo Programme III have a direct impact on the fulfillment of the MDG, in particular MDG 7, ensuring environmental sustainability. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that the fulfillment of MDG 7 is intertwined with the achievement of the other Goals and Targets, and especially MDG 1, poverty alleviation.

This article presents a declaration from the participants in the International Meeting to Review the Implementation of the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, held at Port Louis, Mauritius, from January 10-14, 2005. The representatives reaffirm the continued validity of the Barbados Programme of Action as the blueprint providing the fundamental framework for the sustainable development of small island developing states. And they further reaffirm their commitment to the Principles of the Rio Declaration on Environment.

Presents developments on environmental policy of February 2001. Achievement of sustainable development in developing countries; Approach to planning and building dams; Conservation of the swordfish stocks; Degradation of European soil resources.

Reports on the Norwegian Ministry of the Environment's Conference on the Ecosystem Approach for Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity. Improvement of the cross- and multi-sectoral dialogue on biodiversity research; Aims of the conference.

Reports that the Executive Director of the President's Council on Sustainable Development, states that a plan should be in place by December 1996. Suggestion of changes to the US regulatory policy and community decision making processes; Agreement to create a task force to study initiatives for implementation.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including environmental law, environmental policy and sustainable development.

The author reflects on the establishment of Open Working Group of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon which aims to develop environmental sustainable development goals. The author mentions that the statement of Ban regarding the existence of 50 percent more food in 20 years starting 2013, saying that it is interesting how the figures were calculated. The author features Royal Dutch Shell PLC which received the 2012 Public Eye People's Award for "Worst Company of the Year."

The authors reflect on the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD (Rio+20)). They mention several opinions expressed during the event including the criticism of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on the final negotiating text, the embarrassment of delegations on the title of the outcome document, and predicament of green growth. They note that the output document titled "The Future we Want" has been finalised during the conference.